Lap Dogs and Valuable Veggies: A Round-Up Of Curious Bills

Capitol Currents:

As the House heads for a potentially tense floor session on Monday, I thought it would be fun to take a look at a few bills that probably won't generate as much heated debate:

HB 3444 Apparently it's illegal to sell bread in Oregon unless you stuff it full of vitamins and minerals--that is, "enrichments." But bakeries that use whole grains don't necessarily feel the need to enrich their bread...arguing that whole grains are naturally enriched. This bill would bring those whole grain renegades back into the grace of the state of Oregon.  This memo from Representative Jim Weidner helps explain the situation. It got a hearing in the House Business and Labor Committee earlier this week.

HB 2429 Who wants to vote in May when you can vote in June? This bill would shift the date for the even-year Oregon primary by about four weeks. It gets a public hearing next Wednesday, March 9, in the House Rules Committee.

SB 160  Sparky, I'm trying to drive. Sparky, I'm having a hard time seeing around your furry rump. Sparky, if you don't get off my lap--and SB 160 passes--I'm looking at a $90 ticket. (It's up for a hearing on March 14.)

HB 3545 Some lawmakers want to extend a carrot in the form of a tax credit to people who grow vegetables at home. The credit--up to $1000--could be claimed for garden-related property improvements such as raised garden beds or irrigation equipment. For people who already have those items in place, the bill would create a deduction of up to $500 for donating produce and certain gardening supplies to non-profit organizations that feed the homeless.  The bill is up for a hearing on Wednesday, March 9.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width="1" height="1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3320471128493510714-7254561249041874409?l=www.capitolcurrents.com" alt=""/></div>

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